One of the special ways we welcome new tamariki (children) and their whānau (families) to Heathcote Valley School at the beginning of each term is at a Mihi Whakatau (welcoming ceremony). Now that we are no longer operating with Covid restrictions we are excited to be able to reinstate this practice.

From Tuahiwi: Similar to a pōwhiri, a mihi whakatau is also a welcome but unlike a pōwhiri, it does not have the karanga (call) as a part of the process. This means that anyone with the right skills and knowledge can carry out a mihi whakatau. As a school, it is appropriate and encouraged to carry out mihi whakatau whenever welcoming new staff, students and important manuhiri to the school.

The purpose of this mihi whakatau is to bring people together and to welcome guests to Te Kura O Te Tihi O Kahukura / Heathcote Valley School. With that in mind we would love for you to join us at 9am on Monday, October 17 on the oak tree court. After seeking advice from the Rapaki Marae Education Committee we follow the below mihi whakatau process.

9am Everyone meets on the court by the oak tree in our karakia circle and awaits instructions.

Te taenga (arrival)

Tangata whenua (hosts) are the local people; yourself as Heathcote Valley parents, children and staff. You will be instructed on where to sit when we meet in our karakia circle.

The manuhuri (guests) are our new students, their families and new staff members. The manuhuri will be asked to meet Mrs McMillan and Ms Heron by the Te Puna steps.

Pao (informal call)

We begin the Mihi Whakatau with an exchange of calls. In a formal powhiri these are karanga and have special rituals and requirements around them, however we will exchange pao from tangata whenua and possibly responded to by a pao from the manuhiri. The manuhuri will move forward towards their seats. During this movement our HVS tamariki will welcome them with the school haka.

Whaikōrero (speeches) and waiata (song)

Whaikōrero are given by both hosts and visitors. The principal will speak on behalf of the tangata whenua. At the conclusion of this speech we will all sing a waiata. The manuhuri will then reciprocate this process and we will all join in with their song to support them.

Hongi (pressing of noses) and/or hariū (shake hands)

At the conclusion of the formal proceedings, the manuhuri will be invited to come and hongi and/or harirū with some of the tangata whenua.

Mihimihi (introductions)

At this stage other speakers are invited to speak or introduce themselves, first by the tangata whenua and then by the manuhuri. These speeches can be in te reo Māori or English.

Kākari (feast)

The whole Mihi Whakatau will conclude with a hākari, which lifts the tāpu (sacredness) of the Mihi Whakatau. A feast is a little bit of an exaggeration, but new and existing parents are encouraged to join the principal (Bruce Ellison), deputy principal (Gretchen Cocks) and some senior students under the oak tree for tea, coffee and biscuits.